Introduction:
In each of these messages we're taking a look at a different aspect of the humanity of Jesus as revealed in the Gospel of Luke. So far we've learned that Jesus understands shame because he came from shameful circumstances...and that no matter how often you've failed, how untrue you've been, or how insignificant you feel, Jesus is the shame-lifter.
We've also learned that just as Jesus was tested, you'll also be tested. You'll be tested because you need to know if you're able to discern what matters most. You need to know if you're able to stick to God's purpose for your life in spite of anything. And you need to know if you've got what it takes to soldier through the rough spots instead of looking for an easier way.
This message will be drawn from Luke 9:18-26, a reading that contains what's commonly known as Peter's Confession...his bold declaration about Jesus' identity as God's Messiah. We'll find out what Jesus knew that identity would cost him, and what it means to us as his disciples.
Jesus Knew
Jesus knew his messianic purpose. Luke makes it pretty clear early on in his gospel that Jesus had no doubts about what he should be saying and what he should be doing.
For instance, Jesus' first public appearance after being tempted in the wilderness was at his hometown synagogue. During the service he was asked to read a selection from the prophets and expound on it briefly. Jesus chose to read a selection from Isaiah. These were verses that spoke of the work of the coming Messiah; the one who would deliver Israel from oppression, restore justice, and set wrongs to right. And after reading them Jesus said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." He was not at all uncertain about his role and his work. Jesus knew.
Luke 9 is a pivotal chapter. In this chapter Luke writes of Jesus' awareness of his own destiny, and of his resolve to see it through. And in Luke 9 we find Jesus beginning to inform his disciples of what he expected to happen to him. It's in chapter 9 that Luke places Jesus squarely on the road to crucifixion...far earlier than any other gospel writer. In fact, almost two-thirds of Luke's Gospel is the story of Jesus' journey to the cross...and it starts here in chapter 9.
So you can think of Luke 9 as a hinge that the story of Jesus turns on. From now on everything you read in Luke's gospel will be coloured by your knowledge that Jesus is on his way to die. Once you know this, it'll be impossible to read about the people he encounters, the miracles he performs, and the doctrines he teaches without recognizing his inevitable encounter with destiny.
Identity & Purpose
Luke opens chapter 9 by examining the question of Jesus' identity. Now, it's important to realize that we're not dealing with Jesus' questions of identity, but with the questions of others about who Jesus was.
Another important thing to understand is that when these other people are asking who Jesus is, it's not like they're asking to see his driver's license. They know his name is Jesus, that's he's from Nazareth, that his mother's name is Mary, and so on. They know his brothers and sisters. He's not a stranger in that sense. So understand that the question of identity isn't about who really...it's far more about what. What is Jesus? That's the question being posed. It's a question of identifying purpose.
Luke has this question of purpose rolling around in the mind of Herod, the puppet king who had killed John the Baptist. And he hears that the people are saying that Jesus is John risen from the dead, that he's the second coming of Elijah, or another great prophet...these are things that Herod discounts. But their answer is significant, so significant that Luke has it used as an answer to a question that Jesus asks.
Jesus asks his disciples; "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They answer; "Some say you're John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen." This was the same thing that Herod was told the crowds said about Jesus, and it reveals something about what the general public considered Jesus' purpose to be. From their answer we learn that they considered Jesus' ministry and purpose to be prophetic in nature.
So if you asked, "Just who is Jesus?" They would answer, "Jesus is a prophet." What this means is they recognized Jesus as having a limited role. The role of prophets in ancient Israel was to call the people to repentance and to the restoration of righteous living. It was a purely religious and spiritual function. And given the lack of success of ancient Israelite prophets, it wasn't expected to be a terribly productive one.
The general public expected the order of life to be left as it was. The same people would be in charge, the same people would be on the bottom. The rich would still be rich and the poor would still be poor. The power brokers would still be the power brokers and the powerless would still be powerless. The mighty would still be mighty and the weak would still be weak. Only, they would all be reformed. All would be left in its order, only with a renewed sense of morality and decency. There would be no change in the order of things. All that had led to the current despair, the current corruption, would be left in place...only as kinder and gentler.
Essentially, all they expected was for Jesus to provide them with kind of a group emotional catharsis. "Shake us up, emotionally. Give us a good cry. We'll feel better. And nothing will have to change."
But Jesus wants to draw his disciples out about whom they think he is and what they think his purpose is. So he reissues the question in a slightly different form, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answers, "The Christ of God!" "God's Messiah!" You get the impression that he kind of blurts the answer out and maybe even surprises himself! This was totally different. Identifying Jesus as the Anointed One, the Messiah of God, was calling him far more than a prophet.
You see, Messiah wasn't simply to bring about religious reformation; he was a game changer. He was going to set things to rights. He was going to turn their current world upside down. The justice that had been perverted, the jubilees that had been ignored, and the poor that had been exploited...all this would be set right by the Messiah! It wasn't simply Rome that had reason to be concerned; the power brokers of Israelite society needed to be very afraid. Messiah was to establish a new kingdom, and a new kingdom meant new loyalties, new authorities, new people in charge, a new order. It meant that given their track record of abuse and corruption, the Israelite power-brokers would recognize themselves as being in grave danger.
The Power Brokers
Jesus identified these power-brokers, these power-systems of the Israelite world, as being the elders, the Chief Priests, and the teachers of the law. The "elders" were the movers and shakers among the common people, the party bosses, if you will...so you could say they represented the political system. The "Chief Priests" were at the head of the Temple cult in Jerusalem, and had the charge of absolving the collective conscience of the people in the name of God...so you could say they represented the religious system. The "teachers of the law" were those who schooled the people in the knowledge they needed to function in society...so you could say they represented the educational system.
Jesus told his disciples that these three systems of power would reject him, and move against him. Later in his book Luke describes these power systems as behind the conspiracy to have Jesus killed. And they would do this because his teachings and works presented an entirely new system, a new kingdom that would radically alter the way people viewed the world. The New Kingdom would command new loyalties, establish new worship, and teach new values. The cozy apple cart of the power systems would be upset. Even though Jesus never indicated desire for an earthly throne, a private temple, or university to spread his doctrines, he was a threat. And he was a threat because his teachings and works took hold of the ultimate power base...the heart.
Take Up Your Cross
What's this all mean to your walk with the Lord, to your life as a disciple of Christ? Well, Jesus told those disciples gathered around him, "Now you've got to take up your cross daily...or you can't be my disciple." If the power systems reject me, Jesus was saying, don't expect them to love you. If they hate me, they'll hate you too.
You need to understand that the systems of this world will not embrace Jesus now any more than they did then...and for the very same reasons. Now, as then, Jesus is a threat because he calls them to account for what they've done, for what they've worshipped, for what they've taught.
Now, as then, Jesus is a threat because he commands a loyalty far above national citizenship and political partisanship. Through the ages those following Christ have found themselves in the position of looking secular authorities in the eye and declaring, "We ought to obey God rather than man." Christians through the ages have known that there is a Law above all other laws, a King above all other governments, and a Word above all constitutions and charters.
Now, as then, the way of Christ upsets the religious apple cart because it teaches people to follow Jesus, and that Jesus is exclusively the way to God. And Jesus demands that we be his disciples...not Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, or even...Pentecostals. Through the ages, denominational boundaries, liturgies, and decrees have meant little to Jesus. When they got in the way of people connecting to God and obeying His Word, they came down. And even today when they contradict the clear mandate of Christ, they are out of order.
Now, as then, Jesus is a threat because his teachings and his ideology and his values are the filter through which he demands all learning pass through. Through the ages those following Christ have had to refuse to allow the values of philosophers and academics to corrupt their minds. Christians have taken what good they could from the knowledge and wisdom of this world, but have had to reject ungodly belief systems that came in the mix.
Now, as then, Jesus doesn't seek political power...the Oval Office holds little interest for him. Now, as then, Jesus doesn't seek to establish yet another formal religion or denomination. Now, as then, the acclaim of academia holds no appeal for him. That's very threatening because it means that now, as then, Jesus expands his influence and authority and doctrine and values at the centre; the human heart. And if Jesus has the heart, he has everything.
Closing:
Jesus' challenge to his disciples today is the same challenge it was then, "Take up your cross daily and follow me." Say what I said! Do what I did! And whatever pressure is brought against you, don't cave in. Whatever burdens are placed upon you, don't bow. You will be hated among all nations because of me. So eat with sinners, care for widows and orphans, minister to the outcasts, do good to all. Preach deliverance to captives, freedom to those in bondage, and tell them Jesus is coming. And expect that it will cost you everything...just like it did me.
